Varadkar’s ‘lost & found’ remark on 9-year-old’s release draws Israel’s ire

A nine-year-old Irish-Israeli girl was among the latest group of hostages released by Hamas fighters on Saturday, Ireland’s PM Leo Varadkar said. “An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned... Our prayers have been answered,” he said. His remark about Emily Hand’s release — particularly the use of the words ‘lost’ and ‘found’ — has sparked outrage online. Israel government spokesman Eylon Levy slammed Varadkar and said Emily was “brutally abducted” by Hamas and wasn’t released by any prayers but by “Israel military’s pressure”.